CVS Health Will Offer Prescriptions Delivery

And beginning Dec. 4 of this year, CVS will also offer same-day prescription delivery in Manhattan.In early 2018, this same-day program will expand to select markets,including Miami, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and San Francisco.

The buzz is that CVS’s plans are in response togrowing speculationthat Amazon is moving into the pharmacy market.

In late October, The New York Times reported thatAmazon purchasedwholesale pharmacy licenses in at least a dozen states.

However, the licenses also allow Amazon to sell other products, such as cosmetics and medical devices, leaving it unclear just what Amazon is trying to dive into.

A representative for Amazon told the Times that the company refuses to comment on “rumors or speculation.”

While Amazon’s future in the pharmacy industry is blurry at best right now, retail pharmacies are getting a head start should Amazon move into their territory.

CVS hasn’t announced the delivery service’s price,but it did announce the same-day delivery in Manhattan will be free. As for the rest of the market, CVS spokeswoman Erin Pensa said the company has been “able to use our scale to negotiatelow-cost, affordable options for all CVS Pharmacy customers,”asreported by The New York Times.

If the delivery fees are low, this could be a convenient option for nearly everyone who takes prescription medications. Plus, there’s added benefit for disabled people who may not be able to drive themselves to the pharmacy.

In a world where we have access to cars, shopping, food and other services at the touch of a button, it seems like pharmacies are finally catching on.

Will Amazon bite back with another competitive alternative, though? Looks like we’ll all have to wait and see.

Kelly Anne Smith is a junior writer and engagement specialist at The Penny Hoarder. Catch her on Twitter at @keywordkelly.